Man swept away by river found dead at Utah national recreation area, rangers say

A visitor to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Utah died after being swept downriver by strong currents, rangers said.

The 50-year-old man from Kayenta, Arizona, was found dead by searchers after being carried away at about 3 p.m. Sunday, June 8, the National Park Service said in a Wednesday, June 11, news release.

The incident took place downstream of Paiute Farms Wash in the San Juan River in San Juan County, Utah, rangers said.

The man is believed to have drowned.

The Navajo Nation Police Department and other agencies participated in the search, rangers said.

Rangers warned that river currents can be “deceptively strong” and urged visitors to use caution.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area encompasses 1.25 million acres and is located in southern Utah and northern Arizona.

This story was originally published June 12, 2025 at 11:09 AM with the headline "Man swept away by river found dead at Utah national recreation area, rangers say."